As discussed in this thread: http://300mclub.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=19133
I am proceding with the printed circuit board version of my circuit that uses the cruise control buttons for controlling autostick up and down shifting when the cruise control buttons are not being used for cruise control.

Below are the top layer of the printed circuit board artwork and a photo of the box it will be mounted in. UPS will be delivering the finished (unassembled) p.c. boards this afternoon.

This device will heretofore be known as the Puttstick.

Will be discussing further in this thread as we proceed with this. The first two "production" units will go into my two Concordes. I plan to be at Carlisle (not 100% certain yet) - and if that happens, I will install pre-paid units at no charge there. There will be a limited number available for Carlisle - I'm thinking 3 or 4. I have to move slowly with this as I have quite a bit of money (and time) invested to get the project to this point.

I will discuss pricing of the turn-key units and pricing and availablilty of a kit of all necessary hardware for those who feel capable and enthusiastic enough to assemble it with free instructions and support from me.

Top side printed circuit board layout:


The box (3-1/2" x 2-1/4" x 1-1/2" tall) that the assembled p.c. board will go in:

Sounds interesting Bill...
What kind of costs are involved?

Bill your brain is simply amazing! Great work.

I'm very interested in hearing some results.

Thanks guys. Will address the pricing later today, Tom.

Also - I meant to include in that first post that one or two of you have already said (in that other thread) that you would like units - I do not consider you obligated, but you do have first right of refusal (i.e., are at the top of the list).

Bill you can add me to the list of DIYers

I would think that people with LHSs, Concordes, And Treps without AS would be the most excited about having this. I want it for the pure novelty

Pricing will be $160 for the turnkey unit and $65 for the kit. (EDIT: Price for turnkey unit was mis-typed)

Installation will be simpler than I initially reported in the other thread. There will be a total of 6 connections, including power and ground. All 6 connections will be under the dash within less than 2 feet of where the box can be located (totally hidden near the steering column - wire-tied to a wiring harness or the heating duct that passes athwartship under the column).

I discovered that the two signal connections in the engine compartment are not needed, so there will be *no* passing of any wires thru the firewall, and no connections outside the cabin - all connections are under the dash near the steering column.

Craig - as far as the cars that do not have A/S, they will still need to put in an A/S cluster to wake up the A/S firmware in the TCM/PCM. They can choose to put in the A/S shifter or leave the non-A/S shifter in place - so it does eliminate that part of the A/S conversion as a necessity. Without the A/S shifter, A/S shifting can only be done using the cruise control buttons. With an A/S shifter, up and down shifting can be commanded at any given moment using either the shifter or the cruise control buttons - i.e., the driver can switch back and forth at will.

When cruise control is off (i.e., cluster 'Cruise' light cluster not on):
ACCEL/RESUME = Upshift
COAST = Downshift
All other cruise control buttons ignored by Puttstick
(Driver has the option to switch between shifting with the cruise control buttons or the shifter if the car is equpped with the A/S shifter.)

When cruise control is on ('Cruise' light on the cluster is on):
Puttstick ignores cruise control buttons - cruise control operates normally.

Will there still be safety that will not allow down shifts at too high of RPMs if the cruise buttons are hit accidently too early? I guess I am wondering if these buttons will act just like the stick shifter itself when going up or down through the gears.

It will act exactly like it does when using the shifter. The car will think it's being commanded by the shifter (the output of the Puttstick will blip the same two wires that the shifter does going to the TCM or PCM as the case may be).

you're just "M"azing Bill--very fair price imho---hope you don't mind losing all your free time assembling these--I foresee a big demand.

Could a group buy help the cost? Im down either way, Ill also be the first to say ill take one, whether its at carlisle or not.

I have to second that!!! "M"azing Bill...

You can put me down for a turnkey version of the PuttStick I'll wait in line for one as long as needed.

Again... Wow!!! I'm completely amazed with the knowledge you have of these vehicles...

Wow Bill, you are amazing! Your avatar title is perfectly accurate, you are a 300M GOD! I do believe I would be interested in getting my hands on of these in the future as well. Great thinking on this process with putting this together.

Put me down for a turnkey as well. time is not an issue.

Bill---you're gonna be busier than a one armed wallpaper hanger